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ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Childhood scoliosis

by DR. WAYNE M. FICHTER JR.
| March 17, 2021 1:00 AM

When it comes to scoliosis chiropractic can help, but chiropractic adjustments alone probably won’t be enough to reduce a structural scoliosis. Scoliosis is such a complex condition. It’s essential that multiple modalities are used to effectively treat the condition. This is because scoliosis requires an integrative care plan approach that is tailored to each specific person.

Nationally, about 3% of the U.S. population has some form of scoliosis. About 90% of scoliosis patients have a spinal curvature that does not require surgery, but it can cause pain due to the biomechanical changes it causes to the body. If left untreated, scoliosis can cause a lifetime of issues. To make matters worse, correcting scoliosis in adults is much harder than in children, simply because the spine has fully developed and become fixated in its improper alignment.

Options for children with scoliosis vary from case to case but most often involve bracing, depending on severity. In really severe cases, corrective surgery may be the only answer. However, chiropractic offers a non-invasive, low-cost option at the early onset of treatment. It allows parents to explore alternative options for their children. At an age where children are developing, chiropractic is a simple, effective option for treating scoliosis.

We need to look at the possible long term effects of scoliosis. Abnormal curvatures can cause spinal degeneration, compressed nerves, disc conditions, and more if left untreated. The sooner you identify and correct scoliosis the better.

Chiropractic treatment of scoliosis differs somewhat from patient to patient. It includes adjustments to particular areas of the spine to address any spinal restrictions or misalignments and balance and coordination exercises to assist in increasing input to the affected areas of the brain. We will design an exercise program specifically targeted for the muscles that need strengthening and to stretch the muscles that are overactive.

Chiropractic care has been successfully treating different types of scoliosis for decades. Keep in mind that there is no cure, but there are treatment methods designed to help stop the progression of this spinal problem. Chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, targeted stretching and massage help to prevent the spine from continuing its progression.

So can chiropractic help with scoliosis? In a word, yes.

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Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr. is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene, 208-966-4425.